Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Following the recent defrauding of a Hughes County resident of $22,000, the Hughes County Sheriff and South Dakota Attorney General are warning the public about a jury duty phone scam.
According to a news release from the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, the resident answered a phone call from someone claiming to represent the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office. The resident was informed that they had failed to appear for jury duty and would face arrest if they did not pay the fine immediately via Bitcoin.
“The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office or any legitimate law enforcement agency or court will never demand payment via the telephone or by any form of cryptocurrency like Bitcoin,” according to a press release issued by Sheriff Callahan. “If you receive a call like this, please hang up immediately and report it to law enforcement.”
Other text scams reported include a message claiming to be from the South Dakota Department of Transportation that threatens immediate fines and penalties for failing to pay traffic, toll, and parking tickets. The DOT does not send such messages.
Hughes County residents who receive such calls should contact the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office at (605)773-7410 to confirm the information.
You can also report the scam to the South Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or https://consumer.sd.gov/.
